Benefit for Pedro Esqueda

This is a disease where certain immune system cells are unable to kill some types of bacteria and fungi. This means that Pedro will be on antibiotics and antifungal drugs his entire life.

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St. James Plaindealer - St. James, MN

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Posted May. 18, 2013 at 8:00 AM

Posted May. 18, 2013 at 8:00 AM

St. James Plaindealer

Little Pedro Esqueda and his family could use your help. Four year old Pedro has a rare disease called chronic granulomatous disease.

This hereditary disease affects Pedro’s immune system causing it not to function properly. This leads to ongoing and severe infection. Pedro’s had a lot of those severe infections in his four years.

A fundraiser benefit is going to be held for the medical expenses and health care needs that Pedro has had and will continue to have in the future.

The date of the benefit is Sunday, May 19. It’s going to run from 9 am to 1 pm at the American Legion and will include a brunch and a silent auction.

The family lives in St. James and Pedro’s Mother Chelsi is a registered nurse.

Chelsi said that the disease is one that strikes ‘one in a million’ people.

This is a disease where certain immune system cells are unable to kill some types of bacteria and fungi. This means that Pedro will be on antibiotics and antifungal drugs his entire life.

Chelsi said her son has a severe case. Infections already damaged his lung to the point where he had to have the top right part of his lung removed. Pedro was diagnosed with the disease when he was a year and a half.

Pedro had a bone marrow and stem cell transplant from his father Peter, but the transplant didn’t take. He’s been given his own cells back and health care providers are waiting to see if that procedure works.

Mom says Pedro is a charismatic little boy that makes an impression on everyone he meets, “Everybody just loves him.